How to Port Your Number to a German Provider

Updated May 11, 2026 · Jules de Bruin, Editor

Updated May 2026. Porting your number (Rufnummermitnahme) when switching German mobile providers is regulated by the Bundesnetzagentur. The new provider charges a one-off porting fee capped at €6.82 (Germany's explicit ceiling). Timeline: 7 days end-to-end if you submit on a working day. Your number transfers without an interruption longer than 25 minutes. You don't need to cancel your old contract first — the new provider handles that.

Steps
Rules and fees
FAQ

Step-by-step

Sign up with the new provider. During signup, tick "Ich möchte meine Rufnummer mitnehmen" (port my number). Enter your current phone number and current provider name.
Pay the porting fee. Capped at €6.82 by Bundesnetzagentur rules. Most new providers absorb this or roll it into the first bill.
Get your customer number from the old provider. The new provider needs your Kundennummer or Vertragsnummer — find it in your old provider's app or on any bill.
Pick a port date. Most providers default to the earliest possible weekday. You can also schedule a specific date (e.g. to align with month-end) up to 90 days out.
Wait 7 working days. On port day, your old SIM goes dark and your new SIM (or eSIM) starts working with the same number, typically within 25 minutes.
The new provider closes the old contract automatically. No action needed from you. You may receive a final invoice from the old provider for any remaining service period.

Bundesnetzagentur rules and fees

Rule	Detail
Maximum porting fee	€6.82 — capped by Bundesnetzagentur
Maximum service interruption	25 minutes on the day the port executes
Maximum total timeline	7 working days from order to active
Right to port	Mandatory — providers can't refuse if you're on a portable mobile or fixed-line number
Old contract	New provider handles cancellation; you don't cancel separately
Outstanding balance on prepaid	Remaining credit refunded by old provider (sometimes with admin fee)

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose service while my number ports?

Briefly, on the day the port executes. Bundesnetzagentur rules limit the gap to maximum 25 minutes. Most ports complete in under 10 minutes, usually scheduled overnight. If you're using eSIM, expect a quick "searching…" period during the cutover.

Can I port a prepaid number to a contract?

Yes. Porting works in all directions: prepaid to contract, contract to prepaid, contract to contract. The fee cap and timeline are identical.

What if my old provider says I can't port?

They're wrong. Porting is a legal right under German telecoms regulation. The only valid reason for refusal is that you're not the line holder. If they refuse otherwise, file a complaint with Bundesnetzagentur and the new provider will escalate.

Can I port my German number to another country?

No. Number portability rules only apply within Germany. To keep your German number while abroad, leave the SIM active (cheap prepaid) and forward calls. Or accept that the number will lapse and use a new local number plus WhatsApp / Signal.